State burn areas brace for rain, possible mudslides

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Forecasters say a storm expected to bring heavy rain to California could drop several inches in recent burn areas, raising the risk of mudslides on hillsides made bare by flames.

The National Weather Service says up to 6 inches of rain could fall starting Monday in parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, where the Thomas fire has burned for more than a month, scorching more than 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) of trees and brush.

About an inch is forecast for downtown Los Angeles, the most in nearly a year.

Snow is expected as low as 4,000 feet, which could make for treacherous driving conditions in mountain areas early Tuesday.